Hello, all

This is the first in a series of "reviews", rating the 'fics by the Ranma 
1/2 Fanfiction Drinking Game.

On tonight's menu is the first fanfic I can remember reading:  John 
Biles' "Putting Your Heart in the Right Place".  "Right Place" is a 
classic of Ranma fanfiction, humorous, sentimental, with a powerful scope 
difficult to equal.  Starting out as a story with Gosunkugi developing 
magical abilities through the tutoring of a gaijin witch, it quickly 
expands to encompass the whole of the main Ranma 1/2 cast, as well as 
solving most of the main open plot lines left by Takahashi (keeping in 
mind this was written before Manga v. 36-38).  The story is surprisingly 
descriptive for its script format, somehow painting a rich canvas for the 
reader to enjoy.  

And so, with our trusty bottle of Diet Mountain Dew, we begin our reading.

First of all, take four hearty sips, for this is John Biles, and it is a 
series he has actually completed.  (For the sake of my sanity, we are 
considering Furinkan Summer to be a separate entity.  Speaking of 
which...anyone have the revised FS4?)

Take three more for the young lad Gosunkugi, for he doth play a major 
role in this 'fic.  Indeed, he cures Ranma's curse (or tries to, anyway) 
and even gets the girl in the end!  Who would believe this from such a 
slip of a man?

Ranma no what?  Two more sips, for Japanese in the 'fic.

Hurray!  Ranma's cured!  Take two sips, to celebrate.

Ryouga's and Genma's curses are cured, too!  Three more sips.  (Also 
for the sake of my sanity, I am counting this as one event.  You'll see 
why later.)

Well, that cure didn't last long...P-chan's back.  Three sips, to toast 
our favorite pig's return.  Not only that, but Mousse and (collective 
shudder) Nabiki have found out about the little porker's real identity.
Two drinks, to help us sympathize with the poor boy.

Hmmm...Akane and Ranma say they love each other, then instantly pass 
out.  Tempting...but no.  I'll wait.

Gee...Kodachi's in a really pissy mood this time.  Then again, so is 
Akane.  Such language from a woman is quite shocking!

Cologne totally plastered.  Cool.  Very cool.  No drinks for it, but a 
very good idea anyway.

Cool.  More drinking.  Had a long stint of nothing for awhile.  But, two 
more players have entered the scene.  Gos' little magical girl has taken 
on the form of a certain redhead, at least for a little bit:  Tendo Ranko.  
Moreover, Nodoka has come for a visit, and she's staying around for awhile.
Drink hearty, everyone:  That's one for Ranko, and three for Nodoka as a 
major player.

Okay!  Finally...Ranma and Akane declare their undying love (or some rot 
like that).  One drink.  Good use of Shakespeare, too.  Considering 
what's about to happen, I'm holding off on the relationship resolution.

Waitasec...does a visit to the okonomiyaki-ya by the Tenchi cast count as 
an alien invasion?  Your call here: it's a really good excuse to get two 
drinks in, if you want them.

Oh my...Ryouga does look different...kinda cute, to tell the truth. 
Curse alteration, even if it is a oneshot, earns three drinks.

Even better, Ranma-chan's back!  Three drinks to celebrate.

Great (note the sarcasm).  Tsubasa's here.  Just flamin' great.  One 
drink. 
  
Hmmm.  Here's why I insisted on counting the Ryouga and Genma cure as 
one.  A fun list of the people sprayed with one-shot mouse water:

     Mr. Soup
     A number of salesmen
     security woman
     Genma
     Akane
     Cologne
     Ms. Noodle
     Soun
     Shampoo
     Ryouga
     Nabiki

Okay, let's see..from curse gainings and curse alterations, the total 
would come to 41 drinks.  Sorry, I want to finish this 'fic.  We'll count 
it as one curse gaining - four drinks.

Also, I think by this time we can consider Ranma and Akane a resolved 
couple.  Two drinks to their happiness.

Well, the old panda's back.  Three drinks.  Soun gets all fuzzy, too, but 
I'm not counting that, due to the fact he's already had a shot of the 
mouse water and that Genma got it at the same time.

Cologne gains a curse, if you want to call a svelte 16-year-old bod a 
curse.  4 drinks.

Okay.  Grand total, not counting the Tenchi thing: 44 drinks.  A great 
one, if you want to get yourself totally drunk.  Also, I rate this among 
the best, so chug whatever's left - the 'fic deserves it.

'Night, all.

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Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf"
nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu
"Pronouns are so _difficult_ with these characters..."
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